September 29, 2026 by

 

What exactly does a history major at Cedarville University do? I’m Sarah from Hurricane, West Virginia, and I’m a junior history major! 

My program is small but mighty. I’m blessed with a tight-knit department that has a host of wonderful, brilliant, and kind professors and classmates. Let me walk you through one of my days — let’s go for an average Wednesday!  

Quiet Time 

I wake up around 6:30 a.m. and put on the Keurig (I’ve been trying different flavors and am loving breakfast blend). Then I settle in at my desk to read my Bible and do some prayer journaling.  

Prayer journaling is one of the most helpful things I’ve incorporated into my personal Bible study, especially when I use the ACTS prayer format (Application, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication).  

I love prioritizing this in my day so I can make sure my one-on-one time with God happens before all else that I do.  

Image of an open window with curtains around it and a mug on the windowsill.

Morning Classes 

After my quiet time, I get ready for the day, pack my backpack, and then head out the door to my 8 a.m. class, Logic, with Dr. Gilhooly. It’s a fantastic class, and it’s very different than what my history-trained brain is used to. I’m grateful for the opportunity to stretch my mind in new ways! 

After Logic, I jog over to my 9 a.m. class, History of Political Thought I. This class is very special to me in that I love exploring ancient philosophy under the guidance of Dr. Lyons. He is marvelously able to decode themes and deep meaning from the subject matter we’ve been studying, and I love the deep discussions the readings prompt in class.  

Chapel 

Once my morning classes are over, I head to chapel and sit with my roommate and some friends!  

Chapel is truly one of the best parts of my day. It fills me with such encouragement to sing praises to God in the presence and with the support of so many faithful believers.  

In addition to the music, the messages serve well to recenter my heart on Christ and help me to live out my day influenced by the Gospel. I’m so thankful I get to attend college at Cedarville, where God is so central to everything we do.  

Study Time 

Usually on Wednesdays, I have a break of several hours before my next class, so I like to spend that time finishing readings for my afternoon class, studying, and getting lunch with friends! Most of my history major classes are reading- and discussion-heavy, with occasional papers and quizzes.  

I find that much of the studying I engage in looks like close reads of chapters or passages of books, which prepare me for class discussions. It is a truly enjoyable way to spend my Wednesday afternoons (although I firmly champion study breaks whenever needed).  

Afternoon Seminar 

U.S. Warfare, my seminar for the semester, is also a highlight of my day. (Perhaps I should just emphasize that all my classes are highlights — they are delightful).  

The history major requires every student to take five seminar-style classes during their time at Cedarville, and I would argue for these as some of the most interesting classes the Department of History and Government offers.  

This specific class, taught by Dr. Schwartz, is so interesting to me because it covers American military history while intersecting with many other historical disciplines. As I plan to pursue graduate school and a career in academia after college, this class has and will continue to expose me to many different fields of history in a practical, research-based context.  

As a major, I have to recommend history to those considering. Studying history — besides being the most fun ever — makes me into a better person.  

It is such a humbling experience to look out over all the records and accounts people have produced throughout time and see how much God has done in the world. He has written so much beauty into the world that we can see despite its fallen state.  

D-Group 

After classes, one of the sweetest times of my week is Wednesday evenings, when I meet with my discipleship group. I lead a group of girls in a study of 2 Timothy, and it brings me so much joy to see each of them eager and joyful to pursue Christ every week through the reading of and meditation on His Word and through Gospel-centered conversations.  

The immense blessing of participating in discipleship groups my first two years on campus inspired me to give back through this ministry, and it is rewarding in numerous ways.  

Image of a group of girls in the lounge of a dorm.

Evening Routine 

At the close of a Wednesday night, I end up back in my Maddox dorm room. (I try to go to bed early — my sleep schedule is a work in progress!)  

It’s my first year living in Maddox Hall, and I absolutely love it! The location, the size, the community — it’s wonderful. Plus, I really enjoy nightly check-ins with my roommate and doing life together with her. I’m so grateful for all the wonderful people God has placed in my life.  

So, in all, that’s what a history major does! Thanks for joining me on a Wednesday in my life at Cedarville.  

 

Posted in: , , , , ,